A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry. Reviewed by Seth

This story is about an African American family from Chicago who receive 10,000 dollars. They have always been working hard to stay strong as a family. Mama is, obviously enough, the head of the house hold, as it’s easy to tell throughout the story. Walter, her son, is the husband of Ruth and the brother of Beneatha. Walter and Ruth have a child named Travis, and they all live together in one apartment. When they all get 10,000 dollars they just don’t know what to do first.

            The family receives the money through the life insurance of Mama’s

late husband, Walter Younger Sr. The family has so many ideas of what to put the money towards. Just about every family member wants to do something different with the money. Walter wants to invest in some liquor stores, Beneatha wants to put some towards school (college), and Mama wants everyone just to be happy and smart with the money. Then there was Mama’s trust in Walter, which she shows by giving Walter 6,500 dollars.

            After putting 3,500 down on a house that Mama has got for the family, she finds Walter at the Kitty Kat (Bar) and gives him 6,500 dollars after a long talk. Walter responds with, “You trust me like that Mama?”, as he couldn’t believe she just did that. It ends up being a mistake on Mama’s part. Walter ends up putting the money into liquor stores with Bobo and Willy. Later on, Bobo addresses Walter in tears telling him, “Willy’s gone! Willy’s gone! He ran off with the money!”. Walter has to break the news to the family now.

            The family, after hearing about it, was in more pain then anger at Walter, I believe. Beneatha has her college dreams crushed, Ruth thinks they can’t move now, and Mama just can’t believe it. I believe that Walter was just trying to do what he thought was best for his family. Walter’s next plan was to accept the deal from Mr. Linder, which was if they stayed out of Clybourne Park (whites only lives there) then he would give him 3,500 back and more. Walter ends up being a strong leader in the end and declines the deal and decides to move, which makes his family really happy.

            I think the Younger’s have been through a lot, but in the end I think they were going be alright. Walter became a strong father figure and leader by declining the deal, Mama still is the head of the house, and Beneatha is still trying to make money for school/college, and Ruth is two-months pregnant. I think this story was great and should be a good choice of material to read.